Aircraft Maintenance Philosophy

Authors:

Dr. R.S. Tamacha (Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad)

Air Cmde Devender Sharma (Retd.) (Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad)

Abstract:

Unlike other means of transportation, the aircraft need extensive and elaborate maintenance procedures owing to flight safety considerations. The aircraft maintenance philosophy essentially covers four distinct phases i.e. proactive detection of any abnormality/failure, fault identification/diagnosis, appropriate remedy/rectifications and finally verification/testing of corrective action. This paper lays more stress on the first phase of maintenance philosophy namely “Proactive fault detection”, which consumes maximum time, efforts and money and need detailed analysis by the aircraft maintenance engineers. Additional proactive remedial measures to prevent likely failure of certain components/sub-systems are also implemented during this phase. Broadly fault detection process comprises of certain periodic maintenance schedules and condition monitoring/observations by the pilots (during flying) and
technical staff during maintenance. Maintenance schedules for typical military aircraft (both of Russian and western origin) and civil aircraft with particular reference to the mechanical systems of aircraft are listed. The paper comprehensively describes all facets of the maintenance both in the military and civil domain. There are distinct differences in the maintenance philosophies followed in the civil and military aviation. While military aircraft are designed and maintained with “survivability” as the key consideration, the civil aircraft on the other hand consider “cost” as the driving factor for maintenance philosophy.

References:

[1] Soviet Military Aircraft Maintenance, An Intelligence Assessment prepared by the National Foreign Assessment Centre of USA, 01 September 1979.

[2] Technical Staff Instructions, relevant volumes on specific aircraft issued by the Air Headquarters, IAF, for reference within the IAF.

[3] Relevant Maintenance Manuals of some of the western origin military aircraft.

[4] Aircraft Maintenance and Inspection Procedures for SportStar-Max Light Sport Aircraft, Document No.: SSM2008MAIPUS, March 01, 2009, Evektor-Aerotechnik a.s. Czech Republic.

[5] “Chapter 7 Aircraft Maintenance and Repair,” National Research Council, 1996, New Materials for NextGeneration Commercial Transports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5070. (website, http://www.nap.edu/read/5070/Chapter/9)

[6] Kinnison, H.A. (2004). Aviation maintenance management. New York: McGraw – Hill.

[7] Shannon P. Ackert, “Basics of Aircraft Maintenance Programs for Financiers-Evaluation & Insights of
Commercial Aircraft Maintenance Programs”, Oct 2010.